A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus the Child

Good morning! It's a beautiful Monday, isn't it? Today we are still in chapter two of the book of Luke. We begin in verse 21, with the circumcision of Jesus. 
 As was the Jewish law, Jesus was circumcised eight days after his birth. It was then that his name was announced. When Mary's days of purification were over, they took baby Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord. There they met Simeon, who was a devout man in his faith. He had been promised that he would be allowed to see the Christ before he died. The Holy Spirit was upon him and he knew that Jesus was the one. Holding the babe in his arms, he praised God. He also mentioned in his praise that the Christ would be there for the gentiles as well as the Jews (v 32). 
  At the temple at this time also was a prophetess named Anna. She had been a widow for many years , and never left the temple. She stayed there, fasting and serving God. She too gave praise to God upon seeing the child.  
 Jesus was taken back to Nazareth to be raised. When he was twelve years old he went with his parents to Jerusalem for the Passover. When it was over, Mary and Joseph headed for home, not realizing that Jesus was not with them. They thought he was among their group of family and friends traveling with them. When they stopped after a day's journey, they could not find him. Any mother who has lost sight of her child for a moment knows the thoughts Mary had during the time they were searching for him. They found him in the temple, talking with those who had studied the law greatly. The men he was talking with were greatly impressed with his knowledge. Joseph and Mary were upset that he'd not been with them, but Jesus calmly answered, Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I'd be doing my Father's business? He wasn't being disrespectful, he was just showing his ministry early. Mary and Joseph probably did not understand all of what was going on,  but Luke says Mary pondered all these things in her heart. She knew her son was special-the angel had told her so. But Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and grew up.

Good morning! It's a beautiful Monday, isn't it? Today we are still in chapter two of the book of Luke. We begin in verse 21, with the circumcision of Jesus. 
 As was the Jewish law, Jesus was circumcised eight days after his birth. It was then that his name was announced. When Mary's days of purification were over, they took baby Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord. There they met Simeon, who was a devout man in his faith. He had been promised that he would be allowed to see the Christ before he died. The Holy Spirit was upon him and he knew that Jesus was the one. Holding the babe in his arms, he praised God. He also mentioned in his praise that the Christ would be there for the gentiles as well as the Jews (v 32). 
  At the temple at this time also was a prophetess named Anna. She had been a widow for many years , and never left the temple. She stayed there, fasting and serving God. She too gave praise to God upon seeing the child.  
 Jesus was taken back to Nazareth to be raised. When he was twelve years old he went with his parents to Jerusalem for the Passover. When it was over, Mary and Joseph headed for home, not realizing that Jesus was not with them. They thought he was among their group of family and friends traveling with them. When they stopped after a day's journey, they could not find him. Any mother who has lost sight of her child for a moment knows the thoughts Mary had during the time they were searching for him. They found him in the temple, talking with those who had studied the law greatly. The men he was talking with were greatly impressed with his knowledge. Joseph and Mary were upset that he'd not been with them, but Jesus calmly answered, Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I'd be doing my Father's business? He wasn't being disrespectful, he was just showing his ministry early. Mary and Joseph probably did not understand all of what was going on,  but Luke says Mary pondered all these things in her heart. She knew her son was special-the angel had told her so. But Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and grew up.